YACHT DISMASTED NEAR THE NAB TOWER ESCORTED TO SAFETY BY BEMBRIDGE LIFEBOAT

Bembridge RNLI lifeboat launched to the aid of a 37ft yacht that had become dismasted in the vicinity of the Nab Tower late last night (Wednesday). Solent Coastguard requested the launch of the All Weather Lifeboat at around 23:00 following reports that a yacht – with 7 persons on board – was in difficulty to the East of the Isle of Wight. It took just 15 minutes for the volunteer lifeboat crew to locate the casualty vessel. The decision was taken to cut away the mast and rigging, with the lifeboat then escorting the stricken yacht into Portsmouth Harbour. Making progress at a rate of just 7 knots, the yacht reached Gosport Marina at around 01:10 this morning. It was the third shout of the day for Bembridge Lifeboat, the first of which was to concerns for 2 people potentially in difficulty near Whitecliff Bay. Yesterday evening the D-Class inshore lifeboat was launched from Lane End to concerns for potential ‘fort walkers’ in trouble off St Helens. Fears had been raised that 1 or more people had become cut off by the tide, but a search of the local area ruled out any persons in difficulty.